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Geriatric psychiatry consultations in a Turkish university hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2006

Izzet Cagri Yazgan ,
M. Kemal Kuscu ,
Nurhan Fistikci ,
Ali Keyvan  and
Volkan Topcuoglu
Izzet Cagri Yazgan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Marmara University Medical Faculty, Altunizade Istanbul, Turkey
M. Kemal Kuscu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Marmara University Medical Faculty, Altunizade Istanbul, Turkey
Nurhan Fistikci
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Marmara University Medical Faculty, Altunizade Istanbul, Turkey
Ali Keyvan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Marmara University Medical Faculty, Altunizade Istanbul, Turkey
Volkan Topcuoglu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Marmara University Medical Faculty, Altunizade Istanbul, Turkey
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Abstract

Objective: The size of the elderly population is growing rapidly in Turkey. We aimed to characterize geriatric psychiatry consultations to obtain the characteristic pattern of these patients for further interventions.

Method: A retrospective chart review was undertaken for each patient.

Results: One hundred and sixty-six patients with a mean age (± S.D.) of 75.5 ± 6.6 years were included in this study. Most referrals came from the Department of Internal Medicine (42.2%), with sleep problems (42.1%), depression (29.5%) and anxiety (28.3%) being the most common reasons for referral. Hypertension was the most frequent medical diagnosis (53.6%). The mean number ± S.D.) of medications used by each patient was 4.4 ± 2.0. The leading psychiatric diagnosis at the end of the assessment was adjustment disorder (31.3%).

Conclusion: Turkish geriatric psychiatry consultation patients display similar characteristics to elderly patients from other western countries. The main difference comes from diagnosis of adjustment disorder, which may be related to hospital conditions and strong family ties in developing countries.

Keywords

consultationgeriatric psychiatryelderly patientsadjustment disordergeneral hospital
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , June 2006 , pp. 327 - 333
Copyright
International Psychogeriatric Association 2006

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